Email forwarding added without my knowledge

Thanks for clarifying, @user_fee11f. It's concerning to hear about your email forwarding issue. Let's break down your questions:

How could this have happened?
There are a few primary ways your Comcast email could have been compromised and had forwarding set up without your knowledge:

- Phishing/Malware: You might have unknowingly clicked on a malicious link in an email or downloaded malware that captured your Comcast login credentials. Once an attacker has your username and password, they can log in and change settings like email forwarding.
- Weak Password: If you were using a simple, easily guessable password, or a password that was reused from another site that suffered a data breach, it's possible your account was compromised through a brute-force attack or credential stuffing.
- Physical Access: Someone with physical access to your computer or another device where you were logged into your Comcast email could have made the change.

What do I need to do to prevent it from happening again?
Preventing future compromises requires a multi-pronged approach to bolster your security:

1. Change Your Comcast Password IMMEDIATELY: This is the most crucial step. Choose a strong, unique password that you don't use for any other account. A strong password should be:

- At least 12-16 characters long.
- A mix of uppercase and lowercase letters.
- Include numbers and symbols.
- Not based on personal information (names, birthdays, pets).
- Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords.
2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for Your Comcast Account: This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step (like a code sent to your phone) in addition to your password when you log in from a new device.

3. Scan Your Devices for Malware: Run a full scan with reputable antivirus/anti-malware software on all devices you use to access your Comcast email (computers, phones, tablets).

4. Be Wary of Phishing Attempts:

- Verify Senders: Always double-check the sender's email address. Phishing emails often use addresses that look similar to legitimate ones but have subtle differences.
- Don't Click Suspicious Links: Hover over links before clicking to see the actual URL. If it looks suspicious or redirects to an unexpected domain, don't click it.
- Don't Open Suspicious Attachments: Only open attachments from trusted sources.
- Be Skeptical of Urgent Requests: Phishing emails often create a sense of urgency to trick you into acting without thinking.
5. Review Account Activity Regularly: Periodically log into your Comcast email settings and review recent activity, login history, and forwarding rules to ensure no unauthorized changes have been made.

6. Update Software: Keep your operating system, web browser, and all software up to date. Updates often include security patches that protect against known vulnerabilities.

Can I retrieve the lost emails?
Unfortunately, it is highly unlikely you can retrieve the emails that were forwarded to the unfamiliar address between May 15 and June 20.

Here's why:

- Automatic Deletion/Forwarding: When email forwarding is enabled, the emails are typically sent to the forwarding address and often not retained in your original inbox (or are immediately deleted after forwarding).
- No Control Over Third-Party Inbox: You have no access or control over the inbox of the unfamiliar email address. The person who set up the forwarding is the only one who would have received those messages.

What you can do:

- Check Your Sent Folder and Drafts: While you missed incoming mail, your sent mail and any drafts you created during that period should still be in your Comcast account.
- Inform Contacts: It's a good idea to inform important contacts (friends, family, colleagues, banks, etc.) that you had an email forwarding issue and that they may need to resend any crucial messages sent during that period.

I understand this is frustrating, but taking these security steps will significantly reduce the risk of this happening again. Please let us know if that helps! And our team remains here, awesome to work with because we'll always do everything we can to support you and your household.